Christopher Eubanks' not at all happy news: flight chaos, luggage gone, strings confiscated
Christopher Eubanks (ATP No. 123) certainly imagined his start in 2023 differently.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit:
Jan 03, 2023, 08:50 pm
The life of a tennis pro outside of the top spheres, business, first class and private flights: It's not always easy. Example Christopher Eubanks. Because the American had the full program of annoyances at the start of 2023. And made his displeasure known via Twitter.
Everything was actually in order: Eubanks wanted to start at the ATP tournament in Pune / India this week, had already landed and was accordingly "excited about the first tournament of the year". Then on the pitch: breathing problems, possibly related to his asthma. Eubanks concluded that it made sense to withdraw.
So off to Auckland. Booking through Priceline? Lasted hours. Then when paying the message: "Flight no longer available." Try again and eventually it worked. With 2 stopovers, unusual for Eubanks: "I know I'm spoiled." After hours of searching through luggage, off to Bengaluru to find out that the onward flight to Sydney was delayed by eight hours. So off to the lounge. Oh no: This is only allowed four hours before departure, as he was told. "Lady, it's not our fault the flight is delayed!" Eubanks said (in large letters and in his mind).
What followed was "the most uncomfortable flight of my life" with at least five babies crying, and Eubanks "would have loved to have been there." The connection to Auckland: of course also late, but at the baggage carousel then without two bags - one with his tennis clothes, the other with his trainer's tennis things. When filling out the forms, the information when you can get the luggage back: "If you're lucky, in two weeks."
Oh yes: Eubanks are also missing strings. "Four rolls were confiscated in Sydney because they are apparently not allowed in hand luggage".
And how was your start of the year!?